Kyaw Kyaw Naing, a jailed member of the National League for Democracy, has gone on hunger strike to protest against sham elections being held today in Burma, according to Burma Campaign UK sources.
Kyaw Kyaw Naing is in Pa-an prison in Karen State, Burma, began his hunger strike at 8am on Saturday 6th November.
No information has been received about his wellbeing since he started the hunger strike.
Kyaw Kyaw Naing said in a message; “I will go on hunger strike to support the Vote No campaign of the NLD, to object to the Nargis Constitution which will maintain the dictatorship in power for the long term, and to oppose the Giri election.”
Burma’s 2008 Constitution has been dubbed the Nargis Constitution, and Burma’s generals went a ahead with a rigged referendum on the Constitution just days after the devastating Cyclone Nargis hit Burma, killing around 140,00 people and affecting more than 2.5 million. Cyclone Giri hit Burma on 22nd October and has affected 400,000 people.
Kyaw Kyaw Naing, who is around 40 years old, is serving a 14 year prison term.
There are more than 2,200 political prisoners in Burma. Many are held in appalling conditions, denied proper food and medical care.
“Even in jail democracy activists are doing what they can to resist the dictatorship and its sham election,” said Mark Farmaner, Director at Burma Campaign UK. “Now the election is over the UN should redouble its efforts to secure the release of all political prisoners. “